Glentoran Football Club is delighted to announce that Academy graduate Cal Weatherup has signed a new professional contract, extending his stay at The BetMcLean Oval.

The 18-year-old striker has been rewarded with the new deal after helping Glentoran Seconds win the 2025/26 NIFL Premiership Development League title while continuing his development within Declan Devine’s first-team squad.

Weatherup finished joint leading goalscroer in the Development League and scored his first senior goal for the Club in the Clearer Water Irish Cup victory over Drumaness Mills. His performances have also earned him representative honours with the Northern Ireland Schools Under-18 side.

Weatherup joined Glentoran’s Academy in 2022 and has progressed through the Club’s Elite Scholarship Programme. He helped the Under-16s lift the 2023/24 NIFL Academy League title before playing his part in Glentoran’s Harry Cavan Youth Cup success the following season.

Weatherup is the latest Academy graduate to commit his future to the Club, following first professional contracts for Reece Bell and Jack Faloona, while James McClure also signed a new deal before joining Ards on loan for the 2026/27 season

Speaking after signing his new contract, Cal Weatherup said: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign this new contract. Having come right through the Academy, it’s a proud moment for me to continue my journey with the Club.

“Training every day with Pat Hoban has been brilliant. You see the goals on a Saturday, but it’s everything else he does that I’ve been trying to learn from. The way he links the play, brings people into the game and leads the line is top class.

“I’ve had a few opportunities with the first team already and I’m happy to play wherever the manager needs me. Now it’s about keeping my head down, taking my chances when they come and hopefully making this my breakthrough season.”

Declan Devine, First Team Manager, said: “Cal fully deserves this new contract. He’s a highly regarded young player and he’s continued to develop throughout the last year.

“He’s been training with the first-team squad every day and has shown that he has the ability to compete in that environment. We know his strengths as a player. He’s strong, he’s direct, he knows where the goal is and he gives defenders problems.

“The challenge for Cal now is to take the next step. There’s a big difference between Development League football and first-team football, but he’s given himself a really good opportunity through the work he’s put in.

“Now it’s about taking his chances when they come, making an impact and forcing his way into the team. That’s the position every young player wants to be in and we’re looking forward to seeing how he continues to develop.”

Paul Millar, Glentoran Sporting Director, said: “We’re delighted that Cal has committed his future to the Club. He’s another young player who has enjoyed success at every level, from winning the Academy League and Harry Cavan Youth Cup to playing a key role in last season’s Development League title-winning campaign.

“Providing a genuine pathway into the first team for our Academy players remains one of the Club’s key priorities. Not every young player will move across the water at 16, so it’s important they know there are real opportunities to build a career at Glentoran if they’re prepared to keep improving.

“Cal has earned this contract through what he’s done on the pitch last seasons Now it’s about taking the next step and showing he can establish himself as a first-team player. We believe he has the qualities to do that and we’ll continue to support him along the way.”